Andy Keen-Downs CBE

Doing what I can to make things better for people caught up in the criminal justice system. All views my own apart from all the ones I have borrowed.

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

Keep going James. And thank you Somerset Council.

[James @Jameshousing26]

🚨 HOUSING UPDATE 🚨

After weeks of fighting, countless emails, appeals and national media coverage, Somerset Council has finally agreed to provide me with interim accommodation pending the outcome of my Section 202 review.

This is a huge step forward, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me, shared my story and helped make my voice heard.

However, accommodation is still subject to availability, suitability and probation approval.

My Approved Premises placement ends tomorrow, 11 November, and I still do not have a confirmed address.

As someone living with epilepsy, serious mental health conditions and two electronic monitoring tags, I desperately hope that the council and probation can work together to secure somewhere safe before my discharge.

Thank you to The Guardian, The Big Issue and everyone who has stood beside me throughout this incredibly difficult journey.

The fight isn’t over yet, but for the first time in weeks, I have real hope. ❤️

#Homelessness #Somerset #PrisonLeavers #SecondChances
@SomersetCouncil @DanielMumby @Shelter @andyburnham @prisonadvice @Nacro @AndyKeenDowns @mhclg @guardian

[Jesuit News @jesuitnews]

“The Gospel takes away our right forever, to discriminate between the deserving and the undeserving poor.”
-Dorothy Day, born #OTD in 1897

Icon: @KLICONS

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

A Quick Read - @frankcottrell_b reflecting on really important study of the experiences of our nation’s children by @Rachel_deSouza and his own journeys across the UK as Children’s Laureate . Proud to call Frank a @prisonadvice Ambassador.

[The Observer @ObserverUK]

Frank Cottrell-Boyce: The ‘childhood lottery’ is stealing futures.

Rachel de Souza’s shocking report reveals children in England face a cluster crisis of poverty, education, wellbeing and inequality, but targeted action offers a way out

✍️ Frank Cottrell-Boyce
https://t.co/u8C1cjqG5e

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

Thank you @NazShahBfd for your support for @prisonadvice and for meeting our #YoungPactAmbassadors today. An inspirational encounter ! #CAPI #childrenaffectedbyparentalimprisonment #hiddensentence

[Pact Faith in Action @PactFaithAction]

Today is Prisoners' Sunday. The National Day of Prayer for those in Prison and those who have, their families and children, those who work in prison including prison officers and chaplains and those who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. https://t.co/5145I6aufZ

[Pact Faith in Action @PactFaithAction]

Prisoners' Sunday is taking place in parishes across England and Wales to remember those in prison and their families and loved ones. We are grateful to every parish that will celebrate Prisoners' Sunday this weekend.

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

Pope Leo is a thinker who, like the previous Pope Leo, reads the signs of the times.

[Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex]

In this era of artificial intelligence, it is becoming urgent to distinguish human art from what machines produce. There is an ontological difference, even before an aesthetic one, between art and what a machine can generate through statistical calculation based on millions of images created by others. Algorithms lack the spark of humanity. For this reason, the Church wishes to renew an alliance with artists and cultural institutions to safeguard our humanity.

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

@NJ_Timothy @Conservatives With respect, your government initiated hastily organised early release schemes as emergency measures when prisons ran out of space , due to sentence inflation- which you also presided over. Don’t you think it may be time to de-politicise prisons and have adult conversations?

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

Many congratulations to the wonderful Mizens. They are the best of us.

[The Catholic Union of Great Britain @CatholicUnionGB]

So well deserved @mizenfoundation @margaretmizen @RC_Southwark
https://t.co/cJtMLGTLrg

[Dame Rachel de Souza @Rachel_deSouza]

The children of this country deserve an advocate who'll use their passion & knowledge to fight for children & ensure their voices are heard by those in power. If this is you, please apply for the best job in the world, the next Children’s Commissioner👇🏻 https://t.co/VLkNcfVEQ6

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

@RupertLowe10 I am tempted to describe your tweet as racist and moronic. But bring it on. I’m sure London will give you a clear answer.

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

@Jim4Dartford No @Jim4Dartford , we must not ‘continue with the status quo’. Govt must provide a new funding settlement for hospices and palliative care. That’s what everyone - wherever they stood on the Bill and from whatever party - should now get behind. @GordonBrown @hospiceuk @thelizcarr

[Gordon Brown @GordonBrown]

I hope we can all now come together to radically improve end of life care

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

@PutneyFleur Thank you @PutneyFleur . @trinityhospice cared for my sister. The palliative care was magnificent, as was the compassion and dignity with which they cared for her and everyone else. It’s time for a new settlement for hospices .

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

@leicesterliz @debmattinson If you ask people about the principle of autonomy at the end of life, most will
support it. Most people are kind. But legislators have to decide whether a law is safe, or has unintended consequences, in the real world. Disability groups, hospices, medical bodies have warned you.

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

@frankcottrell_b Poppy’s Hero

[Pact @prisonadvice]

Everyone's talking about prison releases. But new stats reveal another side of the overcrowding crisis: for every prisoner released, another is being sent back. Most recalls are not linked to a new offence.

https://t.co/vDUu82MJXY

[Jack Parker @JackParkr]

NEW: Govt's updated impact assessment on assisted dying bill has just QUADRUPLED the estimated number of people who would apply to die

New 160-page official report has upper estimate for applicants (in first year of implementation) rocketing from:
- 1,078 under the old Leadbeater bill
- to 4,610 under the new Lauren Edwards bill

Updates are largely down to adjusted methodology based on fresh international data

Means lots of new info for MPs to chew over as bill gets 2nd reading on 11 Sept...

Report here: https://t.co/J9K8CWQFPe

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

Impact assessment for the Assisted Dying Bill out . MPs who previously supported might consider whether the ‘safeguards’ against coercion are genuine or robust. IMHO, absolutely not . Please vote NO and fight for palliative care investment instead . @thelizcarr @hospiceuk

[Jack Parker @JackParkr]

NEW: Govt's updated impact assessment on assisted dying bill has just QUADRUPLED the estimated number of people who would apply to die

New 160-page official report has upper estimate for applicants (in first year of implementation) rocketing from:
- 1,078 under the old Leadbeater bill
- to 4,610 under the new Lauren Edwards bill

Updates are largely down to adjusted methodology based on fresh international data

Means lots of new info for MPs to chew over as bill gets 2nd reading on 11 Sept...

Report here: https://t.co/J9K8CWQFPe

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

Let’s make sure we seize the day. It has to include ensuring no one leaves prison without a home to go to. We need to support family connections as a priority. Maintaining family ties is the best prevention. And we need to end the revolving doors between prison & the streets.

[St Mungo's @StMungos]

🔗 Read our full response: https://t.co/QKnotyM1Xv